Chapter 1267: Death God Attire
When Yang Haoran emerged from the headquarters, his suit had vanished, replaced by a set of Death God Attire. However, his Death God Attire differed from that of a Night Watcher or an Emissary of Death; it was the exclusive Death God Attire of a Guardian.
Whether it was the Great Emperors of each continent, the Guardians under the Great Emperors, or the Emissaries of Death and Night Watchers, they all possessed their own Death God Attire, though their styles and materials varied.
Before the world descended into chaos, the Underworld Office had no specific regulations stating that Underworld Officials must wear Death God Attire. Thus, everyone dressed as they pleased, entirely according to their personal preferences. Even at formal occasions, no one was required to wear Death God Attire. Only the lowliest Night Watchers, who constantly dealt with trivial matters within the Death God Temple, almost always wore their Death God Attire.
However, the situation was different now. To display the Underworld Office's might and power, to enhance the cohesion and sense of belonging among Underworld Officials, and also for their safety, everyone—from the lowest-ranking Night Watcher to the highest Great Emperor of each continent—was required to wear their Death God Attire whenever possible, except in situations where their identity could not be exposed. This was especially true for special occasions such as meetings, battles, or visits to other factions, where wearing Death God Attire was mandatory.
The current Death God Attire of the Underworld Office had undergone significant changes compared to previous versions. These alterations were not merely cosmetic but also included the inherent defensive capabilities of the attire itself.
In the past, Night Watchers were the least valued group within the Underworld Office; to put it bluntly, they were cannon fodder. Therefore, their Death God Attire was the simplest and offered virtually no defense. But now, the Underworld Office had significantly increased its regard for Night Watchers, which led to considerable changes even in their Death God Attire.
Currently, the Night Watchers' Death God Attire still consisted of a black robe with a hood. The front was embroidered with the characters "Death God," while the back was embroidered with the name of the continent and region. For instance, the Night Watchers under Yang Haoran had the two large characters "Jingling" on the back of their black robes, followed by a smaller "Nine" character, as Yang Haoran's jurisdiction was the Ninth District. Compared to before, the Night Watchers' Death God Attire now possessed a certain degree of defensive capability.
The Emissary of Death's Death God Attire was also a black robe, but it lacked the large hood that could completely cover the head. Like the Night Watchers' black robes, it had the characters "Death God" on the front, but the back differed significantly from the Night Watchers' attire. Instead of the continent and region, it featured a large character for "Funeral. " The respective continent and region were indicated on the left sleeve cuff, while the name and identification number of the Death God Attire's owner were on the right sleeve cuff. Compared to the Night Watchers' Death God Attire, that of the Emissary of Death boasted considerably stronger defensive power.
The Guardian's Death God Attire was a form-fitting black long coat, with the characters "Death God" embroidered on the front. On the back was a number corresponding to their responsible region. As for the Guardian's affiliated continent, it was displayed on the left sleeve cuff, with their name on the right sleeve cuff. Compared to the Emissary of Death's Death God Attire, the Guardian's Death God Attire possessed even more astonishing defensive power; without sufficient strength, one could not inflict the slightest damage upon such attire.
The various Great Emperors of the Underworld Office also had their own exclusive Death God Attire. The Great Emperor's Death God Attire bore little difference in appearance from the Guardian's; it was likewise a form-fitting black long coat with the characters "Death God" on the front. However, the back featured a single character, "Emperor. " The left sleeve cuff displayed the affiliated continent, and the right sleeve cuff held the name, consistent with the Guardian's attire.
However, the defensive power of the Great Emperor's Death God Attire was even more astounding than that of the Guardian's Death God Attire; one could say the two were not on the same level at all.
Regardless of whether it was the lowest-ranking Night Watcher or the Great Emperors of each continent, all Death God Attire possessed inherent defensive capabilities. This was entirely determined by the fabric used to create the attire and the refining methods employed, meaning that no energy was required to activate the Death God Attire's defensive power.
Normally, the full utility of the Death God Attire would likely be difficult to demonstrate. After all, anyone capable of harming its wearer would naturally be able to breach the attire's inherent powerful defenses. However, in situations where one was severely injured, or when both sides were at the end of their rope, with the Death God Attire not completely destroyed, its function would become fully apparent.
The changes to the Death God Attire offered a form of protection to everyone in the Underworld Office, even the lowest-ranking Night Watchers. At critical moments, these modifications to the Death God Attire could potentially save a life.
Soon after the world descended into chaos, the Great Emperors of the Underworld Office had already deliberated and decided to modify the Death God Attire. However, the sheer number of Underworld Officials in the Underworld Office, and especially the astonishing quantity of Night Watchers, meant that refining such a vast amount of Death God Attire would require not only terrifying resources but also considerable time.
It was precisely for this reason that the modified Death God Attire was only now being mass-produced and distributed for use. Among the tasks Luo Yao assigned to Yang Haoran and the other nine Guardians was the issuance of the redesigned Death God Attire. Yang Haoran was wearing his Death God Attire at this moment also out of adherence to regulations, as this was the Underworld, specifically the headquarters of their Jingling Continent Underworld Office, and as a Guardian, he was obliged to wear his designated Death God Attire.
Death God Attire differed fundamentally from the clothing worn by ordinary people. Once donned, Death God Attire would automatically adjust its size and length to perfectly fit the wearer's figure, ensuring that even without prior measurements, there would be no issue of ill-fitting attire.
Thus, Yang Haoran's set of Death God Attire fit him perfectly, conveying an impression of vigor and dominance when worn.
On the front of Yang Haoran's Death God Attire were the characters "Death God," and on the back was a large "Nine. " His left sleeve cuff bore the three small characters for "Jingling Continent," while his right sleeve cuff displayed his name, "Yang Haoran."
Since becoming a Night Watcher, Yang Haoran's most frequently worn attire had been a suit. Now, with the new regulations in the Underworld, he had changed into his own Death God Attire. Although this was his first time wearing his personal Death God Attire, it felt quite good to him.
Xu Meijing had also changed into her own Death God Attire. However, the number on the back of Xu Meijing's Death God Attire was not "Nine," but "Eight. " When worn by Xu Meijing, paired with shorts and high heels, this Death God Attire instantly elevated her aura by several levels. The imposing presence she exuded now was immeasurably stronger than before she put on the Death God Attire.
Previously, although the aura she emitted was powerful, there were still some clueless individuals who liked to let their gaze wander over her. But now, dressed in this Death God Attire, probably very few people from the Underworld Office would dare to cast an improper gaze upon her, as her Death God Attire signified an unapproachable status.
"Hehe, this attire is quite good."
Yang Haoran said with a faint smile, his face bearing a grin as he scrutinized his Death God Attire with interest from top to bottom.
Xu Meijing was right beside Yang Haoran. Upon hearing his words, she immediately responded with a smile.
"It is indeed good. But if your looks were a bit more outstanding, this Death God Attire would look even better on you."
Yang Haoran didn't take Xu Meijing's teasing to heart; his smile didn't even waver in the slightest.
"Hehe, my beauty radiates from within. It doesn't matter if others can't feel it, as long as you can. Let's go, back to the pharmacy first. I imagine those four guys at the shop have gone mad waiting for us."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile. Xu Meijing, for her part, didn't continue to tease Yang Haoran. She nodded with a smile, then prepared to tear open space to return to the Stillness Apothecary with Yang Haoran.
Just then, however, Huo Laoban emerged from the headquarters' main entrance and enthusiastically greeted Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing.
"Guardian Yang, Guardian Xu, congratulations to both of you for successfully securing the positions of Guardian. I haven't had a proper chance to congratulate you two before, but now I finally do."
As Huo Laoban stepped out of the headquarters' main entrance, Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing both sensed his arrival. The two had originally not intended to acknowledge Huo Laoban; after all, they were not on the same path, and there was deep enmity between them. Naturally, neither wanted to bother with Huo Laoban.
However, since Huo Laoban had spoken, Yang Haoran still responded with a smile.
"Hehe, Guardian Huo is truly considerate. For Xiaojing and I to receive Guardian Huo's congratulations, it's truly an inexpressible joy."
Xu Meijing remained aloof, not speaking. She didn't even spare Huo Laoban a glance. Upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, Huo Laoban's expression remained unchanged, but he was exceedingly displeased internally. Especially when Yang Haoran referred to Xu Meijing as Xiaojing, Huo Laoban wished he could immediately strike out and kill Yang Haoran.
"It's only right, hehe, it's only right. After all, we're all on the same side, and we'll be working together in the future. Moreover, the three of us have known each other for quite some time; you could say we're old friends. I am genuinely delighted that you've become Guardians, so how could I neglect to congratulate you?"
Huo Laoban spoke with a smile, showing no trace of the murderous intent he held for Yang Haoran.
"Hehe, Guardian Huo is indeed very happy, I can tell that much."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Others naturally couldn't grasp the hidden meaning in his words, but Huo Laoban couldn't possibly miss it; Yang Haoran's words had struck him right in the chest.
"It's certainly best that Guardian Yang can tell, hehe. The Great Emperor has given me quite a few instructions this time, so I won't linger here. Another day, you and I shall share drinks and have a truly enjoyable session!"
Huo Laoban spoke with a smile, looking just like two old friends with a good relationship, chatting and laughing. It was impossible to discern any enmity between them.
"Hehe, Guardian Huo, safe travels. Keep in touch often, whether for business or just to chat."
Yang Haoran spoke with a smile, his words sounding off no matter how one heard them, but Huo Laoban forced a smile and nodded, then greeted Xu Meijing again, only to receive no response from her once more.
Huo Laoban showed no embarrassment. Under Yang Haoran's gaze, he smiled, tore open space, and departed through the spatial rift's teleportation.
The last time Yang Haoran and Huo Laoban met, Huo Laoban's entire attention had been on Xu Meijing. As for Yang Haoran, Huo Laoban couldn't even be bothered to glance at him, directly ignoring his presence.
This time, however, Huo Laoban no longer ignored Yang Haoran's existence. Instead, he chatted and laughed with Yang Haoran like a good friend, while Huo Laoban himself was ignored by Xu Meijing.
Such a significant change, of course, was due to the altered statuses of Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing.
At their last meeting, Huo Laoban had completely disregarded Yang Haoran because Yang Haoran's status was insufficient. Now that Yang Haoran had become a Guardian, his status was, in Huo Laoban's view, adequate, and thus he certainly could no longer ignore Yang Haoran.
As for Xu Meijing, she hadn't ignored Huo Laoban the last time she saw him at the villa because her status was insufficient. Now, she felt her status was sufficient, so what if she ignored Huo Laoban?
If Yang Haoran were still an Emissary of Death, then he would undoubtedly be ignored by Huo Laoban again, because an opponent who was merely an Emissary of Death would not be taken seriously by Huo Laoban. But an opponent who was also a Guardian carried an entirely different significance.
Huo Laoban chose to tear open space after leaving the headquarters rather than inside it because the area was protected by a very powerful restrictive barrier. Those with insufficient strength simply could not tear open space to teleport away from within the headquarters; thus, they had to exit the headquarters to do so.
The entire Underworld was actually covered by a similar special restrictive barrier. However, tearing open space within this barrier did not require as high a standard as tearing space within the headquarters. With the abilities of Guardians like Yang Haoran, it was certainly possible to tear open space.
Of course, this only applied to tearing open space and did not include the other capabilities of this special restriction.
"You two are truly disgusting. You're clearly not on the same side, yet you force out fake smiles and engage in awkward small talk, acting as if you're close friends of many years. I genuinely couldn't stand listening to it."
After Huo Laoban left, Xu Meijing couldn't help but speak, adding that had she not considered Yang Haoran's "face" just then, she might have said those words directly to both of them.
"Hehe, it was a bit disgusting, but that's what makes it interesting. He actively approached me, so it seems he came to show off."
Yang Haoran said with a smile, his expression unchanging as he spoke, as if he hadn't taken Huo Laoban's display of power to heart at all.
The relationship between Yang Haoran and Huo Laoban was now merely separated by a thin veil of pretense. In truth, both of them clearly understood that the other was an enemy, not a friend, and an individual who had to be eliminated. It was just that neither of them easily revealed the murderous intent in their hearts.
In Yang Haoran's view, Huo Laoban's actively approaching him just now, while ostensibly congratulating him and Xu Meijing on becoming Guardians, was, to put it more directly, a display of power and provocation. And Yang Haoran's response was likewise full of defiance, even sharper than Huo Laoban's words.
No sooner had Yang Haoran's voice faded than another person emerged from the headquarters. This individual was not yet a mortal enemy to Yang Haoran, but they were certainly not friendly towards him. This person was none other than Ye Xianglan.
"Oh, are the young couple reluctant to leave? Is it because you're about to part ways to your respective territories, so you're feeling incredibly unwilling to separate? Hehehehe, it's not a parting of life and death, no need to be like this."
Ye Xianglan looked at Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing and spoke with a smile. Although a smile adorned her face, her words didn't sound like a friend's jest in the slightest, as they weren't familiar enough for that.
Not only were they not friends, but there was even some animosity between them, stemming from the martial competition three days prior. Therefore, Ye Xianglan's words at this moment didn't feel like a joke in the slightest. Instead, they came across as mockery and sarcasm; to put it more severely, one could even say they were a curse.
"Heh, Guardian Ye is right. Our young couple truly is reluctant to part. On this point, Guardian Ye is much luckier; being single all this time, you don't have to worry about such matters at all."
This time, it wasn't Yang Haoran who spoke, but Xu Meijing. Before Yang Haoran could even respond, Xu Meijing let out a cold laugh and cut in front of him.
The smile on Ye Xianglan's face froze. Xu Meijing's words had provoked her quite severely. When she reacted, the smile vanished from her face, which instantly clouded over. Xu Meijing's words had clearly hit a raw nerve.
"Hmph, you two only possess your current strength and secured the Guardian position due to sheer luck. But good fortune doesn't last forever, and Supreme Yin Qi can only be absorbed and refined once. You still have a long way to go if you want to break through to the late Earth Soul realm. In my eyes, all mid-Earth Soul cultivators are worthless trash, easily defeated. If you don't believe me, feel free to pick a time and try a one-on-one duel with me."
Ye Xianglan's words were now reeking of gunpowder. Even when she faced the siege of numerous competitors three days ago, and even when Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing ended up gaining an advantage, she hadn't been this furious. Yet now, a mere few words from Xu Meijing had instantly enraged her to such an extent, demonstrating just how greatly Xu Meijing's remark had provoked her.
After furiously dropping her harsh words, Ye Xianglan seemed to lose even the desire to bicker with Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing. She directly tore open space and departed.
"Hehe, your mouth. . . it seems to be getting more venomous."
Watching the spatial rift left by Ye Xianglan rapidly heal, Yang Haoran looked at Xu Meijing beside him with a hint of trepidation, speaking with a smile, though his smile at that moment seemed somewhat unnatural.
"Heh, strike a snake at its seven-inch mark, and arguing is no different. To contend with me, she's still far from capable."
Xu Meijing scoffed coldly, speaking with a disdainful expression, though her gaze, tone, and facial expression all carried a distinct hint of triumph.
Ye Xianglan knew about their relationship and that their strength came from Supreme Yin Qi because, during a previous meeting, Luo Yao had inquired why the two of them had progressed in strength so rapidly.
Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing had long prepared for this matter, so when Luo Yao asked about it, neither of them showed the slightest panic or any other sign of abnormality. They delivered their pre-prepared explanation in front of everyone present, which naturally included Xu Meijing's Supreme Yin Body and the Supreme Yin Qi within her.
It was precisely because of this that Ye Xianglan learned of their relationship and how their strength had increased. Not only she, but Luo Yao and the other Guardians were also aware of this matter.
As for why Luo Yao chose to inquire about the source of their strength in front of all the Guardians present—whether it was a casual inquiry or held a deeper meaning—only Luo Yao himself knew.
Having successively encountered two incompatible individuals, Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, who were already prepared to leave, naturally had even less desire to remain there. To avoid running into more people they didn't want to see, saying things they didn't want to say, and hearing things they didn't want to hear, the two of them also tore open space and chose to depart after Ye Xianglan had left.
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